Seeking truth.

We all listened to the explanation about not only the situation with the whale but also the plan of the woman, who now introduced herself as Focalors, the Hydro Archon. Most shocked was Hydro Dragon, who goes by the name Neuvillette.

-"Impressive."

-"To think we were involved in such conspiracy."

-"So Hydro Archon must die?"

-"Is there any other way to save Fontaine?"

Aether and his group were talking about what to do, but no matter what idea they came up with, they found no solution.

-"Yue, what are you thinking about?"

-"Ling, can you bring Aranyani here?"

-"I don't mind, give me a moment."

-"Emperor, did something happen?"

-"Focalors? No, I just need someone to consult about the idea of mine. Aether, can you call your sister here? Best is she brings an expert on Abyss with her."

-"I'll inform her, but I don't know if she responds."

-"Just say that this concerns Tianli."

Minutes later, Aranyani arrived here.

-"Did something happen, Yue? It's rare for you to call us so suddenly."

-"Aranyani, you are born from Irminsul, right?"

-"Yes, my consciousness originates from it."

-"Are you aware of its origin?"

-"No, I just know that it is the root from which Lay Lines originate."

-"I have a brazen theory, but it requires some more verification."

-"Hou? For you to call it brazen, even after that Mara project, I wonder if you are about to change the Teyvat."

-"Maybe. Let's wait for Lumine. I have to confirm some details on abys first."

-"I'm here, but where is Tianli?"

Lumine walked out of the portal with a duo of Abyss Heralds and two more people I had seen for the first time.

-"Master Skirk?"

-"You are also here, Childe?"

-"Well..."

-"You fought my pet?"

-"Yes..."

-"Sigh, Children these days. It's an honor to meet you, Yue. I'm known as the Fool, Surtalogi."

-"Pleasure is mine. I wanted to ask you about Abyss."

-"Hou? Don't you think that it is evil?"

-"Evil is a meaningless concept. I ended enough lives to populate this world with them, yet no one calls me buther and condemns me for eternal damnation."

-"Indeed, justice is just a construct of mortals to keep them safe from themself."

-"I don't agree with you. Justice exists as a law, but it shows through conscience."

-"Conscience? What good does it bring if one can simply abandon it?"

-"That may be so, but without it, what is the difference between man and animal, or even monster?"

-"Heh... I would rather become a monster than a slave."

-"Being bound by rules is not slavery."

-"No, but it's my freedom to fight those rules."

-"Ehem. Can you two stop speaking in riddles?"

-"Sorry, Princess, it's a rare pleasure to have a discussion with someone understanding yet non-aligned with your belief."

-"Let's focus on why I called you. Tell me what Abyss is."

-"In exchange, tell me about outside."

-"Good."

Surtalogi explained about the Abyss, the three realms, and how the Abyss Order was created. After that, I spoke about Chaos, different worlds, and Laws.

-"To think we still were frogs in the well."

-"It's better to learn the whole life than persist in ignorance."

-"That's true."

-"Now, can you explain that theory of yours?"

-"We have to ask two more people before that. Tianli, I know you are watching this place. Care to show yourself?"

When I ended speaking, a portal in the shape of a four-pointed star appeared, and Tianli emerged from it. The Abyss party became alert. The Abyss Heralds even wanted to attack and was only stopped by Ling when I signaled her to step in.

-"Tianli, can you confirm his words?"

-"Yes, but they are biased."

-"I'm aware. You can explain your side of the story."

She nodded and added some things to the explanation I heard before. Her story was also subjective but was much more detailed.

-"Light realm and Dark realm, huh? As I thought."

-"Can you explain?"-Asked Aranyani.

-"I believe that Tyevat is a young world. Vishap and Abyss are two forces that originated it, representing origin and end. Similar to the Imaginary Tree in my birth world."

-"Hmm, that would fit all the facts. Then what is Irminsul in your theory?"

-"Sapling of a Tree of Life. Something akin to Gaia from Nobu's world. Tianli is the equivalent of Alaya, making sure humanity continues. That's why she established rules and even stopped you, Lumine, Aether, because your strength as outsiders was dangerous."

-"Then what is Abyss?"

-"End."

-"Can you prove it?"

-"Yes. You all stay in the shade of the branch."

I manifested a branch of my Tree over the group. They looked at the crystal-like leaves with interest and even tried to pluck one, but they were unmovable.

-"Don't touch those leaves carelessly. They are infused with Laws. You are too weak to endure most of them."

-"What is this?"

-"Me."-I turned my head up.~"Terminus, can you come here?"

My words echoed around, and moments later, Terminus appeared. My branch shielded everybody else from Terminus' aura, but it started shimmering with Laws under her pressure.

~"What do you need from me?"

I explained about this world and my theory.

~"I see. Indeed, you are right with your theory."

-"Then is it possible for me to root into this world?"

~"It is feasible. You possess superior Origin and will be able to absorb everything easily. But you lack your own End, so I advise waiting until you establish it."

-"Hmm... Haven't thought of that. Thank you for pointing it out."

~"That drifter girl you picked from Chaos. Her world possesses a powerful End. You should visit it and seek a way to absorb it."

-"Kai'Sa? I'll be sure to look for it then."

~"You need help with anything else?"

-"No, thank you."

Terminus nodded and left. I turned back to the group, who, even when shielded from her aura, were stunned for some time. Minutes later, they started waking up.

-"Ugh... That damn Aeon, I thought my strength was enough to endure her aura."

-"Finality has the biggest impact on the soul. Ling, you have to be at least half-step Empyrean to endure it on your own."

-"So strong? Shesh, my bad then."

-"You plan to absorb Teyvat, Yue?"

-"Yes. Are you opposed to it, Aranyani?"

-"Of course not."

-"Wait a moment! What do you mean by absorb?!"

-"Calm down, Navia."

-"I also want to know what that means."-Spoke Neuvillette.

-"Emperor is Spirit of the World, which means that he is a world. Absorbing means taking Teyvat as part of himself."

-"Isn't this bad?"

-"No, it is even helpful."-Tianli spoke up.-"His strength is so great that it can shield Teyvat from many dangers."

-"Well, I won't do it for now. Tianli, can you end the prophecy of Fontaine?"

-"OK."

-"Thank you. Do any of you have more questions?"

-"Yes. What do you plan to do with us after absorbing the world?"

-"You will be given a chance to enter Hold. You can remain here if you want, as I don't plan to change how the Teyvat operates."

-"We will inform remaining members of Abyss order of what happened today and decide what to do together."

-"Good. I'll remove that curse from you all later."

-"Thank you in advance, then."

I answered some more questions and left around an hour later. I returned to the Divine Dream Heavenly Palace while, in Hold, my other avatar was talking with Ningguagn about Teyvat and my plan.

-"This will help both Hold and you, so I'm all for it."

-"Thanks."

-"As we are talking about worlds, have you read the report from da Vinci about newly detected worlds?"

-"Yes, I asked her to collect more data before we decide what to do next."

-"Right, Elysia will take Hope to that last unexplored world in the near future if I'm not wrong."

-"She told me that they will depart in six days."

-"So soon?"

-"She wants to go there and finish before da Vinci ends her survey."

-"Just tell her to don't be careless."

-"She already received a stern warning."

-"Good. She needs to act like a leader."

-"Let her be. If the need arises, Ganyu and Himekos will step in to help her. Her character is a better fit for acting than planning."

-"But she is Principle."

-"Yes, of Hope. I think that of the five of us, she is the best fit to her Principle."

-"I can't argue with that. Yue, When do you plan to marry the rest of the girls you are involved with?"

-"Sigh. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it yet."

-"Then can you leave it to us?"

-"Are you sure?"

-"Yes. Astraea, Nobunaga, and I talked about the situation in the Inner Palace. We decided that while we won't stop you from having relations with other girls, it will be us who decide who lives there."

-"I won't agree with that. While I promised to do everything in my power for you, I also vowed to treat all of my family the same. That family includes all those who I have a relationship, be it official or not."

-"All those living in Inner Palace are in that family?"

-"Yes."

-"I see. You heard him, girls."

From behind the doors, all my guards and even Rin entered the office. Looking at me seriously.

-"You planned this?"

-"Heh, as you already said, they are already part of the family, having spent most of thier days together with us but having never received assurance, I decided to help them."

-"Sorry, you all, I should have spoken earlier."

-"Don't apologize, just do better."

-"Yes, Ling said it nicely."

-"I'll do my best."

-"This is also why I talked about those new words. I think that you should go with the girls there to explore one of those worlds. Think of this as a honeymoon, like our trip to Penacony."

-"Honeymoon before marriage? But I agree with that idea."

-"Then you are all set up now."

During the next three days, nothing interesting happened. Most of my time was spent either working in the office or with girls in Inner Palace. Only on the fourth day did something interesting happen. The Festival of Duty is finally taking place.

It was decided that we, as five Principles, will participate in the festival in an above-board manner. So, I walked the streets with my wives in our official royal attire. Even my Guards wore ceremonial armor prepared by Hephaestus.

-"I still can't get used to being looked at like that."

-"Weren't you always the center of attention?"-Asked Ningguang.

-"I rarely interacted with people. Solely walked along Aeons during their ascension."

-"I must say that your isolation was for the good of the world."

-"Why would you say something like that, Nobu?"

-"If you had the same success in courting women as this year, During your life, you could easily populate a planet."

-"..."

-"Nobu, cut him some slack. You agreed to my plan before."

-"I know, Astraea. He still deserved a jab, though."

-"So, you know plan for today?"

-"Our guide will arrive in a moment."

-"Do you know who it will be, Elysia?"

-"Hmm... Ah! Yes. Kokomi will lead us around."

-"Yae left all her jobs to her?"

-"Makoto is her main concern now. By the way, I have never seen Ei being so out of her depth in those past days. Undergoing course on how to behave like a noble lady, in addition to economy and governing knowledge. Her eyes begged me for respite."

As we talked, I noticed Kokomi trying to push through the crowd. Deciding to give her a helping hand, I teleported her before us, but she was unable to respond to a sudden change in space and tripped. I was able to catch her and prevent the fall, but she ended up in my arms.

-"Sorry, I should have warned you. Can you stand?"

-"...yes..."-Bearly hearable whisper sounded.

Helping red-faced Kokomi to her feet, I was thankful for wearing armor as Nobu tried her best to pinch me. Our guide took a few deep breaths and calmed down.

-"Sorry for my faux pas."

-"Don't worry, Kokom. It was Yue's fault."

-"Lord Yue just tried to help me, lady Nobunaga."

-"Tell me, how did you charm all of them so they always defend you, Yue?"

-"Ehem. Kokomi, can you tell us more about today's activities?"

-"Festival of Duty is divided into three parts. The first concerns those who made great achievements for Hold. I'll ask you to present medals later."

-"No problem."

-"Second is designated for civilians. In church, they have access to smaller divine flame and can make vowes for the future."

-"Can you explain why such activity is taking place?"

-"It was because many people asked for such an occasion.

Church was open for the last five hours, and already over a thousand vows were performed. Most of them proving love to the other party."

-"At least divorce rates will be low."

-"The last part is the renewal of Kinghtly vows. It will be the ending ceremony of the day. Of course, many stalls and performers also picked places in the city to set up and open business and perform."

-"Renewal of Kinghtly vows? Interesting idea, Yae went all in on building Hold's identity."

-"The medal ceremony will take place in little over an hour. For now, I suggest looking around."

-"Let's go then."

In an hour, we visited many stalls, trying interesting food and taking part in some games. When the time approached, Kokomi took us to the stage where the medal ceremony would take place.

In total, there were five hundred medals to give, divided into six categories, One for each Principle and one for achievement requiring special acknowledgment.

Most of the recipients were minor members of Hold, as it was decided against rewarding core members this way. My job was to reward medals for attainments of Progress and the last category.

This ceremony lasted for over two hours, and when it ended, Kokomi ran to prepare for the final part. While we waited, we decided to sit in a nearby restaurant and eat something.

Looking around, I noticed a familiar face and led girls in that direction. We soon found an empty seat and waited for a moment until Xiangling came out of the kitchen to ask for our order.

-"Oh my! Your Majesty!"

-"Hello, Xiangling. I see your restaurant is booming."

-"Yes! There are so many interesting new foods and recipes here."

-"That's true. Would you mind bringing me my regular order?"

-"On it!"

-"You know her quite well."

-"I come here from time to time. Cooking is my hobby, after all."

We ate our meal and went back to the stage, where Kokomi was almost ready. Five minutes later, Loki arrived from behind the scenes, bringing [Sword of Promise] to us.

-"Will you Astraea do the honors, or do you want Yue to do it?"

-"This is Festival of Duty. Astraea should be one who performs it."

-"If you say so."

Astraea took the sword in her hand and slowly walked to the podium. As she arrived before the Knights standing in formation below, they saluted her.

Looking over them and the civilians on the sides, she slowly raised her sword and held it with her right hand. Bringing that hand to her heart, so the sword was on the left side of her face pointed upward, and placing her left hand behind her back, she started reciting words of the vow.

The moment she started saluting, all Knights knelt on one knee and brought their weapons to salute. All civilians also knelt, placing their right hands on their hearts.

I also took out the Oath of Silence and performed salute. At the end of the vow, I struck the ground lightly. The soft chime of the Khakkhara staff echoed as the Tree over us shimmered with countless lights, bringing the ceremony to a completion.